“You miss all the shots you do not take”.- James Ngotho Kariuki
James Ngotho Kariuki is the Founding Director and Partner at ADR Centre Limited offering a full suite of dispute resolution expertise. He also serves as a Director and Treasurer of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Kenya Branch. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK (FCIArb), the Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators (FMIArb) as well as a certified professional mediator and construction adjudicator. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public . James also practices as an Advocate of the Astana International Financial Centre Court (AIFC). James holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Investment and Trade Law and is currently pursuing his Ph.D with a focus on Investment Dispute Settlement.
He has acted as counsel, adjudicator, mediator, and arbitrator as well as consulted in international disputes spanning cross-border commercial and investment transactions. With over a decade of distinguished practice, James has built extensive expertise and experience across domestic, regional, and international dispute resolution.
James served as the Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Kenya Branch, Young Members Group (YMG) from 2020 to 2025 and recently concluded his term as one of the Africa Regional Representatives of the Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG) of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), between 2023 and 2025. He also previously practiced at DLA Piper Africa, Kenya (IKM Advocates) in the dispute resolution department from 2019 to 2025.
In acknowledgement of his exemplary strides in the alternative dispute resolution, James is recognised as one of Africa’s foremost dispute resolution practitioners and was awarded Young Arbitration Practitioner of the Year at the 3rd African Arbitration Awards in 2022. He was also named among the Business Daily Kenya Top 40 under Forty Men in 2023.
1. The Driving Force for Choosing the Legal Profession.
For Kariuki, the spark for law came from witnessing its impact on his everyday life and through early exposure to legal scholarship. His father, Prof. Kariuki Muigua, is a prominent advocate and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) academic and practitioner.
Kariuki often notes that the practice of law and in particular, dispute resolution, affects the society, directly and indirectly. This means that legal work directly affects people’s lives in ways that they may be aware and for others, they may never even notice within their lifetime. This breadth of “cause and effect” attracted him as he found and continues to find fulfillment in resolving real world problems through dispute resolution. Therefore, Kariuki chased his legal dream, pursuing a law degree from Strathmore University, Kenya and an LL.M in International Investment and Trade Law from the University of Nairobi, Kenya and is currently embarking on his PhD. At the same time, he obtained his credentials in ADR becoming an arbitrator, mediator and adjudicator. Altogether, the combination of this intellectual challenge and the corresponding tangible social impact continues to make the practice of dispute resolution deeply rewarding for him.
2. Qualities of an Exceptional Lawyer and How Young Professionals Cultivate Such Attributes.
Kariuki believes an exceptional lawyer today must blend strong technical skill with adaptability and integrity. Legal competence is a baseline, but what distinguishes successful practitioner from others is resourcefulness and consistency. He emphasises that lawyers should understand their clients’ needs and communicate clearly, recalling that clients remember counsel with a good listening ear and great people skills. The same qualities apply to neutrals in dispute resolution with an emphasis on integrity and impartiality.
To cultivate these attributes, he advises young lawyers to seek diverse experiences, for example, by joining professional groups and to continually broaden their knowledge. In a world where information is more accessible than it has ever been, there is no excuse. Kariuki himself volunteers to speak at universities about the practicalities of legal practice and alternative dispute resolution. To the budding lawyer out there, outreach and teaching sharpen empathy and communication. He therefore recommends mentorship as a two-way street by being both a mentor and a mentee given that one has more to learn just as much as they have something to offer. Tomorrow’s outstanding lawyers and dispute resolvers will be those with deep technical know-how plus the integrity, curiosity and adaptability to apply it wisely.
3. Significant Ongoing Project or Initiatives and Possible Impact.
Looking ahead, Kariuki is focusing on projects that build Africa’s dispute resolution capacity. Though his leadership roles and experience, he plans to apply his wealth of experience and expertise in leading and launching domestic, regional and international dispute resolution hubs through his newly established organisation, “The ADR Centre”. He also aims to develop an Africa-wide dispute resolution network linking senior practitioners with young practitioners. These initiatives are designed to raise Kenya and the larger continent’s profile as hub for emerging practitioners by providing practical opportunities with a view to broaden their scope of influence even beyond the continent. Ultimately, Kariuki hopes these projects will create pathways for young lawyers continent-wide, ensuring more inclusive access to opportunities in international dispute resolution and cultivating the next generation of African dispute resolution leaders.
4. Role Models and Impactful Books.
Kariuki cites several legal minds as personal inspirations. However, his greatest influence wrote the seminal Kenyan arbitration text “Settling Disputes through Arbitration in Kenya”. This is by far the greatest simplification of an otherwise overcomplicated practice that Prof. Muigua masterfully broke down for every reader regardless of their background or profession. In the end, simplicity was central in this authorship. In practice, this is a quality that is often swallowed up by the glamour of flamboyance, the vice of overcomplication often to the detriment of a client’s pursuit for justice and/or results. A must read for all.
In terms of literature, two contrasting books continue to influence his perspective: “1984” by George Orwell and “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” by Robin Sharma. Though radically different in tone and intention, together they offer a powerful framework for navigating both the external world and one’s internal landscape as a legal professional.
Orwell’s 1984 serves as a stark reminder of what is at stake when systems fail to protect truth, justice, and human dignity. Its depiction of surveillance, manipulation, and the erosion of individual freedoms underscore the ongoing responsibility of lawyers to remain vigilant guardians of fairness and constitutionalism. For Kariuki, the novel acts as a cautionary lens through which to view society highlighting the need to speak up, act ethically, and safeguard justice even when doing so is not convenient. In complete contrast, Sharma’s The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari emphasises inner peace, purpose, and self-care. It reminds him that while law is demanding and often high-pressure, a lawyer’s effectiveness depends on balance, clarity of mind, and emotional resilience. Together they speak to the need of an acute awareness of the realities and injustices present in society, paired with a commitment to maintain personal well-being, clarity, and purpose.
5. Advice or Guiding Principles for Young Legal Professionals and Advocates.
Kariuki would advise any young professional to be proactive and principled. He notes that law tends to be a seniority-biased field, so newcomers must aim to create their own opportunities to stand out earlier on. He encourages them to seize any chance to learn by doing. “You miss all the shots you do not take”.
Above all, he stresses integrity and a service mindset remembering that even “small” acts of service can have a huge impact on people’s lives. By staying curious and building a reliable network, young lawyers can find their purpose and make a real impact in the legal terrain.
Click here to read our previous Millennial, Suhaib Ahmed
Editorial Team
Silver Obioha
Clinton Nyamongo
Kazeem Afolabi
Dikeledi Matlhagare
Tolulope Olasunkanmi
Sulaimon Badmus
Aya Hamdy
Princess Maake
Jemilat Akerele
Vera Enubianozor
Brandon Otieno
Oluwabusayo Awodele
Kyenpiya Wonang
Gift Nwoke
Jessica Odoh
Tracy Karumba
Mary-Jones Ossi
Halimah Oladunni
Mary Linus
Peter Momoh
Jessica Omoruyi
